Vazhakai Podimas

So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.
Franz Kafka

 

Ingredients :

Raw Banana - 1
Onion - 1 ( chopped small)
Ginger - 1 inch piece - chopped fine
Coconut - 2-3 Tbsp - Grated
Green Chillies - 2 - chopped fine

Tempering :

Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
Urad Dal - 1/2 tsp
Dry red chilli - 2 - broken
Curry Leaves - 1 spring
Coconut Oil - 2 Tbsp

Method :

1. Cut the raw Banana into half. Heat water in a deep pan and add the raw Banana. Cover and cook till the banana is cooked. Insert a knife into the Banana to check if the Banana is cooked. Make sure the Banana does not turn mushy. It should be firm but cooked.
2. Remove banana from flame and allow it to cool.
3. Peel the skin of the banana.
4. Mash the cooked banana into medium sized chunks.
5. Add salt and mash it again. Do not make it mushy.
6. Heat the oil in the pan, add mustard seeds and when the mustard seeds begins to sputter add urad   dal,chopped ginger, chopped green chilli, onions and curry leaves. Fry till the dhal turns golden brown in color.
7. Add the mashed banana, grated coconut.
8. Saute well for 3-4 minutes on medium flame.
9. Serve hot with rice.


Note :

1. Podimas is usually done by grating the banana. I mash the bananas for a quick dish.
2. The traditional podimas does not call for onions. I like the crunch of the onions, so I add it.